The Siege Timetable

+Three Stages+
09.04.23
Dolan's, Limerick
Doors: 1pm
Admission: Free*

+++IMPORTANT INFORMATION+++
-FREE ADMISSION. This edition of the Siege will once again be a free admission, community event. Free admission is subject to the capacity limits of Dolans and 1) doesn't guarantee entry to later arrivals 2) you cannot hold or pre-book tickets. THIS IS NOT A TICKETED EVENT.
- The next edition of the Siege will be Family Friendly between 1pm and 5pm, admittance and refusal for the event at all times is at the discretion of the Dolan's Staff. The event is strictly over 18's after 5pm. (R.O.A.R

The Stunning Live at King Johns Castle

The Stunning with some special Guests are Back in Limerick for a huge show in King Johns Castle this July after a sellout performance in the Big Top Last year. Tickets priced 39.50 including Booking fee

In the seven years that The Stunning were initially together, they toured relentlessly building up a following that would make them one of the most successful Irish bands ever. In 1990 their debut album ‘Paradise In The Picturehouse’ spent five weeks at number one and became one of the most-loved Irish albums of all time. Two years later, the follow up ‘Once Around The World’ also hit the No. 1 spot, and the band went on to sell over 100,000 albums in Ireland alone. “Brewing Up A Storm” has become an anthem of sorts and is to be heard everywhere from football stadiums to clubs around the country where it is still a guaranteed floor-filler. Songs such as “Half Past Two”, “Romeo’s on Fire”, and “Everything that Rises” are still to be heard on the radio and have been featured in movies and numerous compilation albums of the best of Irish rock. 

The Stunning join Hermitage Green, Kasabian, Bell x1 Kraftwerk and Madness to the program for 2023

Free Gigs in Dolans

New Gigs and Times for the Summer Season

New Traditional Music session in Dolans Pub on Thursdays at 9.30pm

“In the Window” gig with The Major Dudes in Dolans Pub on Friday at 9.30pm

After Show Party DJ with all the music we love Live on the Terrace at 10.30 EVERY Saturday night.

Traditional Irish Music on Saturday in Dolans Pub at 9.30

Traditional Irish Music on Sundays at 9pm

The Window Sessions are back!

The "In the Window Sessions" are EVERY FRIDAY night at 9.30

The Major Dudes play Live in the Window in Dolans Pub on Friday March 24th at 9.30pm.

No cover charge

ORBITAL – LIVE AT THE BIG TOP, LIMERICK

ORBITAL – LIVE AT THE BIG TOP, LIMERICK

WORDS: JOHN LOFTUS

ARTICLE PUBLISHED: MARCH 22, 2023

It might be three decades since their ‘heyday’ but Orbital are still producing absolutely compelling musical creations that impress and invigorate.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that those assembled for another Dolan’s Live at the Big Top event never thought they’d witness this seminal electronic act playing in Limerick’s Milk Market, but here we are with one of the world’s most venerated dance acts kicking off their ‘Optical Delusion’ tour in this most unique of surroundings.

There is certainly a palpable feel-good vibe to the night’s proceedings from the off with Bristol-based DJ and producer Manami providing the perfect appetiser to the main event, a selection of chilled out sounds build to an enlivening climax.

With an explosive array of stunning visuals Orbital announce their arrival to wholesale rapture which only intensifies as they launch into the delightfully manic Smiley. This tour is showcasing their first studio album in five years therefore, as to be expected there is no shortage of tracks being debuted on the night, first of which is the beguilingly ethereal Ringa Ringa (The Old Pandemic Folk Song), with its almost unnerving repetition of the key line from the well-known nursery rhyme, its effect is almost hypnotic.

A double salvo of Dirty Rat and the always staggering Satan is an aggressive tour-de-force. The former (another live debut) sees Jason Williamson from Sleaford Mods colourfully gurning from the hi-def screen with a diatribe doused in vitriol that stirs the soul. Halycon-Spicy with its Spice Girls sample is delightfully playful, whilst new track You Are The Frequency sends everyone into a ravetastic frenzy.

Belfast, Chime and Impact (The Earth Is Burning) are blissfully rendered, there’s even a heavenly disembodied Sinead O’Connor vocal, with Molly Malone hauntingly atmospheric as the set pulsates magnificently.

A glorious encore of Out There Somewhere? and Lush provides the perfect conclusion to the evening’s entertainment, with the venerated duo appearing to be genuinely moved by their ecstatic reception. If the countless delighted faces and beaming smiles amongst the audience is anything to go by, then the return of Orbital to the live arena is very much a definitive triumph.

Dolans named best music venue in Munster at IMRO awards

Dolan's Limerick has been named the best music venue in Munster at this year's IMRO Live Music Venue Awards.

The Limerick venue picked up the award at a star-studded event in Dublin's Sugar Club last night.

The annual IMRO awards are presented to venues that excel in the delivery of venue ambience, staging and sound and lighting.

Other criteria for consideration include gender balance, diversity of music, professionalism with performers, PR, and venue accessibility.

Mick Dolan says the recognition is welcome as the industry recovers from the pandemic...

Dolans Limerick shortlisted for the IMRO Live Music of the Year Award 2023

Dolans Limerick is delighted to be shortlisted for the IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards 2023. Dolans is the only Limerick venue shortlisted .Dolan’s, Limerick is joined by Coughlan’s, Cork,Levis Corner House Ballydehob, Co. Cork ,DeBarra’s, Clonakilty, Co. Cork and The White Horse, Ballincollig, Co. Cork

IMRO are now offering members of the public the chance to have their voice heard in the 2023 honours roll. The shortlist for the Overall IMRO Live Music Venue of The Year Award is drawn up from the IMRO member’s poll and music lovers across Ireland are invited to nominate their favourite Irish venue from the list below.

VOTE HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/imrovenueawards

Upstairs Dolans

.The awards recognise Irish venues that deliver the very best standards in live music entertainment. Hundreds of venues across Ireland qualified for the awards and more than 18,000 IMRO members were asked to vote for their top choices in an online poll. Venues were judged on their ambience, staging, sound/lighting facilities, diversity of music programming, accessibility for people with disabilities, venue staff and management and the work they undertake in promoting the venue and its programme of music events.

Kasbah Dolans

The IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards acknowledge the immense efforts made by music venues across Ireland, through the provision of world class entertainment for their customers, their vital contribution to local economies and the significant role they play in providing a public platform for songwriters, composers and performers.

Along with one overall award for National Live Music Venue of the Year, awards will be presented to the leading live music venues in the following regions: Dublin, Leinster (excluding Dublin) Connacht, Munster and Ulster (covering Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan). In addition to this IMRO members have been nominating their top music festival choices.

Dolans Warehouse

The ceremony will also see the presentation of the award for Hot Press Live Music Venue of the Year via The Readers Poll which is contributed to by Hot Press fans.

The IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards 2023 will take place on Tuesday, 14th March in The Sugar Club, Leeson St. Lower, Dublin 2.

Performances on the night will come from Negro Impacto, Bricknasty, Skinner & DJ Mona Lxsa.

A Night to Remember Mary and Jim

A Night to Remember Mary and Jim

A very special night of music to remember Mary Rowan and Jim O Mahony takes place in Dolans on Friday February 3rd., 2023.

with

The O Malley’s , Paul O Connor , Paul O Sullivan , Sean Kelly, Ian Harris and Friends.

All proceeds to Milford Hospice, Oesophageal Cancer Research & Parkinson’s Association Limerick

Tkts on sale from https://dolans.yapsody.com/.../753619/a-night-to-remember

Live Report: Damien Dempsey delivers a heart-warming performance at The Big Top, Limerick

by Jess Murray, Hotpress

Freezing temperatures didn't deter droves of fans attending Dempsey's sold-out Christmas show.

Films and documentaries about musicians are made again and again – their music, and more often than not, their personal lives being the focus of the story. But when Ross Killeen released the feature documentary Love Yourself Today in 2021, it centred around the unique power and magic of Damien Dempsey's live performances, in particular his annual Christmas concerts at Vicar Street. The working-title for the film was The Church of Damo. If you've seen the Donaghmede Druid live, you will understand why. If you haven't, I sincerely urge you to do so.

I first saw Damien Dempsey live in the University Concert Hall, Limerick around 2005/2006 and I've been a loyal follower of the man ever since. His Christmas show at Dolan's Warehouse is something I look forward to each year, so nothing – icy footpaths included – was going to stop me from getting to the Milk Market last Friday night.

"You're in great voice tonight, Limerick," he declared midway through his opening song, 'Apple of My Eye'. Backed by his band, including longtime band member Éamonn de Barra and his celebrated producer, John Reynolds, on drums, Dempsey was visibly moved by the warm welcome he received from his Shannonside fans. The sold-out show was made up of long-standing fans alongside some eager 18-years-olds soaking it all up for the first time. They sang every word – all night long.

Firm favourites, including 'Chris and Stevie', 'Colony' and 'Negative Vibes', hit all the right notes with the crowd. A wonderful cover of The Pogues' 'Rainy Night In Soho' had everyone swaying along in unison. Released a mere three weeks ago, his new Christmas song 'Failte Abhaile (Welcome Home)' was met with a great cheer for its debut Limerick performance. Written by Damien Dempsey and his long term musical collaborator John Reynolds and Gary Brown, all profits from the track will go to Focus Ireland. The festive spirit was kept alive with a moving cover of 'Oh Holy Night'.

But it was the 2003 track, 'Ghosts of Overdoses' that packed the hardest punch of the night. There was a palpable sense of loss and emotion in the air. The group introspection continued with the haunting, 'Not On Your Own Tonight,' as Damo roared:

'Cos if you feel real bad then you're not on your own tonight
Please don't be so sad 'cos you're not on your own tonight
Oh yeah yeah yeah,
You see I know the feelin'
Don't have to tell me nothin'
'Cos you know I know the feeling

Clenched fists were raised in solidarity, willing Damo on through this incredibly frank and personal song about throwing off the shackles of loneliness and despair. The raw emotion of Dempsey and his emboldened Limerick audience was something to behold. Whether it was your first Damien Dempsey gig or your fifteenth, the magic in the air was undeniable. If this is what mass felt like, I'd be there every Sunday.

The monumental 'It's All Good' was the perfect song to finish this night of goodwill. Standing in the heart of a city that's been plagued by suicide, it is hugely powerful hearing 1,500 people bellow Damien Dempsey's euphoric war-cry: LOVE YOURSELF TODAY.

Thanks to Dolan's for hosting an unforgettable night – and thanks to Damo for the music.